Photographic product



March 14, 1950 E. H. LAND yPHOTOGRAPHIG PRODUCT 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 8, 1946 FIG.

FIG. 2

INVENTOF! March 14, 1950 E. H. LAND PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 8, 1946 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

Patented Mar. 14, i956 PHo'roGRAPHlc PRODUCT Edwin H. Land, Cambridge, Mass., assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Delaware Application May 8, 1946, Serial No. 668,158

6 Claims.

This invention relates to photography and more particularly to composite, photographic lm material having means for conning a fluid introduced and spread between the layers of said material. The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application bearing Serial No. 657,365, filed March 27, 1946, now abandoned.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a composite photographic sheet material comprising a plurality of layers between which a uid may be introduced and spread, and having means wherein at least a portion of said fluid in excess of that required for coverage of a predetermined area of the layers may be received and conned.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a composite photographic lm material comprising several layers having predetermined facing areas adapted to be separated for receiving and spreading a liquid therebetween, and adjacent areas forming a recess for trapping and confining a quantity of said liquid in excess of that required for covering said first-named areas, one of said layers being a, photosensitive layer.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a composite photographic film material comprising a base layer, a photosensitive layer, a layer of a material suitable for carrying a posi tive photographic print and a liquid trapping portion, said composite lm being adapted to photographic exposure of the photosensitive layer, to introduction and spreading of a liquid between a plurality of said layers for processing said photosensitive layer and forming said print', and to trapping and conning a portion of said liquid in excess of that required for processing said lm and forming said print.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a composite photographic film material comprising a pair of layers, one of said layers being displaceable with respect to the other, and said layers when adjacent being suitably disposed for receiving and spreading a processing fluid composition therebetween, a container releasably conning said fluid positioned between said layers and adjacent one extremity thereof, and means adjacent an opposite extremity of said layers for trapping any portion of said iiuid in excess of that required to be spread therebetween, said trapping meansI comprising a substantially rigid member having recessed areas thereof for receiving said excess of liquid and said member having a cross-sectional dimension providing a portion of said film exceeding other portions in thickness.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a composite photographic film material comprising a pair of layers, one of said layers being displaceable with respect to the other, and said layers when superimposed being arranged for receiving and spreading a processing fluid composition therebetween, a container releasably confining said fluid positioned between said layers and adjacent one extremity thereof, and means adjacent an extremity of said layers opposite said container for trapping substantially the portion of said iiuid in excess of that required to be spread therebetween, said trapping means comprising a preferably noncompressible member having recessed areas thereof for receiving said excess of liquid and having a thickness providing a portion of said film exceeding other portions in thickness, said trapping member serving as a limit stop for the return of said displaceable layer to its original position.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a composite photographic lm material comprising several layers, a container recompressive force, pocket areas being substantially unaffected thereby and thus no diminution occurring in their fluid capacity.

These and other objects of the invention will in .part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the products possessing the features, properties, and relation of components which are exemplified in the products hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which willbe indicated in the claims. l

p In the drawings wherein like `referenlce characters referto like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of one form of a composite photographic lrn material embodying the novel fluid trapping means of the inven- Fig. 2 is a top-plan view of the illm and fluid trapping element thereof of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a modification of the composite photographic lm and the liquid trapping element thereof; and

Fig. 4 is a top-plan view of the assembled elements of Fig. 3.

The novel product of the present invention is an improvement in composite photographic multilayer assemblages of sheet-like construction comprising a photosensitive layer and adapted to have formed in or on a layer thereof a visible positive print of the subject matter to which an image area of said photosensitive layer is exposed. The visible image is obtained by spreading a fluid of predetermined composition, preferably a viscous liquid, between a pair of layers of the assemblage after the exposure of said image area, and causing the fluid to permeate at least a portion of the photosensitive layer of the assemblage. The iluid composition is preferably introduced into the assemblage adjacent one edge of said image area and is spread, after introduction, in a direction substantially perpendicular to said edge until an area of the film assemblage coextensive with said image area is covered. To insure complete coverage of at least said area under extreme conditions of use of said assemblage, there is usually provided more fluid than is necessary to effect coverage of said area during normal use of the assemblage, and the present invention is primarily concerned with the provision of a novel trapping means for confining and retaining the fluid which spreads beyond the area which it is desired to cover. The fluid may be provided in a container located adjacent one edge of the image area, and in my copending application Serial No. 657,365 it is proposed to use a fluid trapping means located adjacent the other edge of said area. The present invention is concerned with an improvement in said trapping means.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, one form of uid trapping means is illustrated and comprises an element I2 having recessed areas I4 for receiving said fluid, said element being shown in` operative assembly with a composite lm material. The composite illm comprises a photosensitive layer I6, a base layer I8 supporting the photosensitive layer, a layer 20 for carrying a positive photographic print, said layer being displaceable laterally with respect to the photosensitive layer to permit photographic exposure thereof, a container 22 bonded to layer I6 and releasably enclosing a photographic processing fluid` 24, and an envelope 26 partially enclosing the aforementioned elements and providing channeled portions for guiding the displacement of layer 20.

The form of assembly shown may be regarded as a self-contained film unit for forming a positive photographic print and as suitable for placement, with other similar units, in the magazine of a camera. Fluid trapping element I2 is adapted to receive and confine any excess of fluid 24 which may remain after said iluid has been released between frangible sealed portions 28 of container 22 and spread between layers I6 and 20, said release and spreading of the iluid being occasioned, for example, through subjection of the composite film to an application of progressive compression, commencing at lefthand extremities as shown in Fig. 1 and concluding with the liquid trapping element. In general, it is contemplated that the fluid will be substantially of a viscous quality thus having a tendency toward immobilization when the spreading force is removed therefrom but the trapping element is not limited to a viscous fluid as will presently be described.

Fluid trapping element I2 may preferably be formed from any relatively light-weight, rigid material capable of substantially resisting a compressive force which, as above described, may be applied to the composite assembly for effecting the release and spreading of fluid 24. For example, said element may comprise a strip of cardboard appreciably exceeding the thickness of layer 20 and having recessed areas I4 incorporated therein and suitably disposed to intercept the flow of iluid, said recesses having a suillcient capacity for holding said fluid. Element I2 extending transversely of photosensitive layer I6 is preferably bonded to said layer, thus eliminating any possibility of passage of the fluid between said components. It will be seen that the capacity of the aforesaid recessed portions is in part determined by the height of the recesses as limited by the thickness of strip I2 and in part by the extent of the indentations therein. It is to be understood that said dimensions are pre-A determined relative to the maximum quantity of fluid which will be passed to the trapping element whereby said fluid, once within the connes of the trapping element, will not further be subjected to said compressive force and will thus become substantially immobilized therein. Relative to the aforesaid considerations, it will be understood that an appreciable thickness of the substantially noncompressible strip I2 is also employed to offset any compression or deformation of layer portions I6 and 30 adjacent said strip which may occur during subjection of said layers to compressive force and cause their impingement of the fluid trapping recesses. While it is preferred that strip I2 be relatively noncompressible, said quality is not essential provided its compression does not reduce the capacity of liquid trapping portions below that required by the volume of fluid to be received.

In the form of composite film shown, envelope 26 covers the entire under surface of base layer I8 and also comprises portions 30 and 32 which overlap the end areas of the assembly and portions 34 which overlap side areas thereof, said portion 30 in part overlying portions 34 and preferably being bonded thereto. Element I2 is preferably bonded to envelope portion 36, thus effectually preventing any possibility of passage of the fluid between said components, as, for example, when the film is positioned vertically in a camera, but said last-named bond may not be required, particularly where a viscous fluid is employed, said fluid, by nature of its viscous composition, tending to remain in recessed portions I4.

It will be noted that envelope portion 3Q comprises a fold 36 adjacent its extremity. Fold 36 provides a substantially smooth edge area of increased rigidity whereby, in conjunction with the spacing of portion 33 from layer 20 at least along marginal portions of layer 20 by substantially the thickness of layer 34, said layer 26 may be returned to the position shown in Fig. 1, after its displacement for photographically exposing layer I6, without being impeded by the aforementioned edge. The aforesaid constructions provide a fluid trapping element which is substantially equally operative for either a viscous or nonviscous fluid but, where a fluid of the last-named type is employed, an absorptive material such, for example, as absorbent cotton may be incorporated in recessed portions I4 to limit further fiow of said fluid.

The composite film material and relationship of elements thereof as shown in Fig. 2 indicates the constructions of overlapping envelope portions 30, 32, and 34, and the form of collapsible Iiuid container 22 and print-carrier layer 20. Layer 20, guided by the folds or channels formed in envelope overlap portions 34, may be displaced in the direction of arrow 38 to accomplish photographic exposure of photosensitive layer I6 and, after said exposure, layer 20 may be returned in the direction of arrow 45 to the position shown, iiuid trapping element l2 serving as a limit stop for edge portion 4l of said layer 20. For Aperforming the aforesaid displacement and return f layer 2U sprocket holes 42 are formed in said layer.

When layer 2B, having been displaced for purposes of photographically exposing the underlying photosensitive layer, is returned to its original position the composite film comprises a substantially light-tight unit and, accordingly, said unit may be discharged from the camera and the image formation may be completed exteriorly of the camera without further actinic light reaching the photosensitive layer.

The image area of photographic exposure comprises the area Within broken line 41, said area conforming, for example, to that within the framing mask of a camera. Upon completion of the formation of a positive print on the inner surface of layer 2B the portion of said layer defined within perforations 48 may be separated from other portions of layer 2D by lifting tab portion 59 thereof and removing said print carrying area for viewing the positive print. The marginal areas l serve as a frame for the completed print and may preferably have been preexposed to provide a white frame therefor.

The composite film assembly of Figs. 3 and 4 is generally similar to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 but differs therefrom in that it incorporates a iiuid trapping element 2a having modified recessed portions 14a, and a print carrier layer 20a having edge portions 52 thereof which differ from the straight linear edge portions 4l of Figs. 1 and 2 and are so formed as to substantially eliminate any possibility of their intercepting envelope portion 3e when layer 20a is returned to the position shown, after its displacement for photographically exposing layer I6. It will be noted that all of said edge portions 52 which pass directly beneath folded edge 36 are angularly disposed relative to said edge 36 and tend to be spaced therefrom by reason of envelope overlapped portions 34 which intervene between edge 36 and layer 26a, adjacent marginal portions of the assembly. In other respects the considerations above described with respect to Figs. l and 2 apply to the film of Figs. 3 and 4.

Materials suitable for forming the several layers of the composite lm of Figs. 1-4 comprise the following: an envelope 25 of an opaque paper material; a base layer I8 of a cellulosic material; a photosensitive layer l5 comprising an emulsion of a silver halide or of a mixture of silver halides or of a mixed silver halide; print carrier layers 20 or 20a formed from a substantially rigid, opaque cardboard suitably surfaced for carrying a positive .photographic print, for example, a. photographic white baryta paper having an opaque backing. The processing fiuid may comprise a viscous alkaline aqueous solution of a developer and a silver halide solvent of the type described in my copending application Serial No. 578,379, led February 17, 1945, now abandoned, for Photographic products. Such a fluid may comprise the ingredients listed in the following example:

Example Water cc 100 Sodium sullte grams-- 7 Hydroquinone do 3.3 Sodium thiosulfate do 1.4 An aqueous solution of medium viscosity sodium carboxymethyl cellulose consisting of 20 grams of the latter in 100 cc. of

water grams 5 Sodium hydroxide, 10% solution cc 11.2

Fluid trapping elements of the character described are not limited to the composite film constructions illustrated but may be incorporated in various other forms of individual lm units or in a continuous strip of film comprising a plurality of image areas such, for example, as shown in my aforementioned copending application, Serial No. 657,365. One modification of individual film units similar in many respects to those shown would comprise a nondisplaceable print carrier layer and a form of envelope which is either transparent or has a portion equivalent to the image area excised therefrom, permitting photographic exposure of the photosensitive layer through a transparent base layer. In said modification, the print carrier layer would preferably be bonded to the photosensitive layer along longitudinal marginal portions, only, permitting spreading of the fluid between intervening image area portions. Envelope portions could advantageously be bonded to elements contiguous therewith provided an aperture is allowed for the escape of air during the fluid spreading process. In another form of composite film the print carrier layer could be transparent and photographic exposure of the photosensitive layer could be accomplished therethrough. In the aforesaid modifications or in others where outermost layers of the composite film are transparent rather than opaque, as shown, a light-tight chamber may preferably be incorporated in the camera for receiving the film after processing thereof rather than emitting said film from the camera directly.

In composite, positive print forming lm materials incorporating liquid trapping components such as those of the present invention, suitable form and dimensions of said components are dependent upon, and predetermined with respect to factors affecting spreading of the liquid, as, for example, factors comprising: quantity and composition of the liquid; prevailing temperature during processing; surface areas; surfacing characteristics and permeability of the respective layers; magnitude of the compressive force applied; and period of said application. One form of process of positive print formation performed within said assembly after photographic exposure of a photosensitive frame thereof may comprise: introduction and spreading of a liquid which may preferably be of a viscous composition comprising a photographic reagent and having water as a solvent; permeation by said liquid of said photosensitive layer; development within said layer of 'asomar the subject image of said photographic exposure, and formation of an image-forming component therein; and transportation of said image-forming component either to the aforesaid print carrying layer directly or to a print receiving layer which may be precipitated on a suitably surfaced print carrier layer by means of a film-forming ingredient in the liquid. The above-described process is not, however, to be regarded as comprising an invariable order of steps or as a preferred process for forming a positive print. Ideally, sufficient liquid only to cover the image portions adequately for performing the abovedescribed functions is required, and substantially said quantity of liquid may be provided where, for example, said liquid has relatively constant flow characteristics and where a predetermined constant compressive force is to be applied to the composite film material. However, where a viscous liquid is employed, and where certain of the above-named factors affecting spreading of said liquid are variable, e. g., under variable processing temperature conditions and applications of compressive force of fiuctuating magnitude such as may be due to nonconstant speeds of rotation of pressure rollers, a supply of said viscous liquid slightly in excess of that required under least favorable spreading conditions is preferably provided. Said last-named conditions would, for example, comprise a selected minimum temperature and a predefined minimum period of application of compression, such as might be caused by excessively rapid rotation of pressure rollers. It will thus be obvious that where a maximum of liquid is supplied, to compensate for influences funfavorable to the spreading of the liquid, existing conditions more favorable to spreading of said liquid comprising, for example, relatively higher temperatures and longer periods of application of compression to the composite film will provide an increase in said excess of liquid caused to pass beyond the aforesaid image portions. The liquid trapping means of the invention thus serve a useful purpose in providing a receiving and confining element or portion for said excess or surplus of liquid, thereby preventing undesirable exudation of the liquid from the composite film material and its possible passage to pressure roller or pressure plate surfaces.

Since certain changes in the constructions set f forth which embody the invention may be made without departing from its scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A composite, photographic product containing material, including a photographic reagent, for producing a transformation of an image in said product, said reagent being present in an amount sufficient to effect said transformation, said product comprising a first liquid-confining layer, a second liquid-confining layer, a rupturable container releasably Carrying a viscous liquid, a liquid-trapping member secured to said second liquid-confining layer, one of said liquidconfining layers including a photosensitive portion capable of having an image formed in a predetermined area thereof upon photoexposure, said two layers and container being connected together so that said layers may be superposed with said container positioned therebetween, said liquid, upon permeation of said photosensitive portion, rendering said transforming material ef- 8 fective to transform said image and being in excess of the amount required for transforming said image in said photosensitive image area portion, said container and said trapping member being arranged so that when said two layers are superposed said container is positioned adjacent one edge of said image area and said trapping member is positioned adjacent the opposite edge of said image area, and a cover sheet separate from said rst liquid-confining layer, said cover sheet extending over that surface of said trapping member opposite the surface thereof secured to said second liquid-confining layer, said trapping member defining, between said cover sheet and said second liquid-conning layer, a space having a sufficient volume to receive the excess liquid.

2. A composite, photographic product containing material, including a photographic reagent, for producing a transformation of an image in said product, said reagent being present in an amount sufficient to effect said transformation, said product comprising a first liquid-confining layer, a second liquid-confining layer, a rupturable container releasably carrying a viscous liquid, a liquid-trapping member secured to said second liquid-confining layer, one of said liquid-confining layers including a photosensitive portion capable of having an image formed in a predetermined area thereof upon photoexposure, said two layers and container being connected together so that said layers may be superposed with said container positioned therebetween, said liquid, upon permeation of said photosensitive portion, rendering said transforming material effective to transform said image and being in excess of the amount required for transforming said image in said photosensitive image area portion, said container and said trapping member being arranged so that when said two layers are superposed said container is positioned adjacent one edge of said image area and said trapping member is positioned adjacent the opposite edge of said image area, said first liquid-confining layer, when superposed with said second liquid-confining layer, terminating short of and substantially abutting said trapping member, said trapping member being atleast as thick as said first liquidconfining layer and comprising at least two arms extending towards said container, and a cover sheet separate from said first liquid-confining layer, said cover sheet extending over that surface of said trapping member opposite the surface thereof secured to said second liquid-confining layer, said cover sheet extending at least to the junction between said trapping member and the abutting end of said first liquid-confining layer, said trapping member defining, between said cover sheet and said second liquid-,confining layer, a space having a suiiicient volume to receive the excess liquid.

3. The product of claim 2 wherein said cover sheet comprises an extension of said second liquid-confining layer folded over the end and top of said trapping member.

4. The product of claim 2 wherein said trapping member comprises a plurality of said arms and a transverse connecting portion, said arms and said transverse connecting portion defining indentations facing said container across said area.

5. The product of claim 2 wherein said photosensitive portion comprises a silver` halide and said liquid comprises a viscous alkaline aqueous solution of a developer and a silver halide solvent.

6. The product of claim 2 wherein said end 9 of said rst liquid-confining layer abuts portions of said trapping member and is spaced from other portions of said trapping member, said cover sheet extending from said trapping member over the end of said rst liquid-conning layer.

EDWIN H. LALND.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Sulzer Aug. 22, 1916 Number Number Number Name Date Gndele Jan. 9, 1917 Beck Mar. 5, 1918 McCurdy Feb. 3, 1920 Hansen Sept. 11, 1923 Furke et al June 6, 1943 Furke et al June 6, 1943 Jelley et a1 June 6, 1943 Rott June 20, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Mar. 5, 1942 

1. A COMPOSITE, PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT CONTAINING MATERIAL, INCLUDING A PHOTOGRAPHIC REAGENT FOR PRODUCING A TRANSFORMATION OF AN IMAGE IN SAID PRODUCT, SAID REAGENT BEING PRESENT IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO EFFECT SAID TRANSFORMATION, SAID PRODUCT COMPRISING A FIRST LIQUID-CONFINING LAYER, A SECOND LIQUID-CONFINING LAYER, A RUPTURABLE CONTAINER RELEASABLY CARRYING A VISCOUS LIQUID, A LIQUID-TRAPPING MEMBER SECURED TO SAID SECOND LIQUID-CONFINING LAYER, ONE OF SAID LIQUIDCONFINING LAYERS INCLUDING A PHOTOSENSITIVE PORTION CAPABLE OF HAVING AN IMAGE FORMED IN A PREDETERMINED AREA THEREOF PHOTOEXPOSURE SAID TWO LAYERS AND CONTAINER BEING CONNECTED TOGETHER SO THAT SAID LAYERS MAY BE SUPERPOSED WITH SAID CONTAINER POSITIONED THEREBETWEEN, SAID LIQUID, UPON PERMEATION OF SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE PORTION, RENDERING SAID TRANSFORMING MATERIAL EFFECTIVE TO TRANSFORM SAID IMAGE AND BEING IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNT REQUIRED FOR TRANSFORMING SAID IMAGE IN SAID PHOTOSENSITIVE IMAGE AREA PORTION, SAID CONTAINER AND SAID TRAPPING MEMBER BEING ARRANGED TO THAT WHEN SAID TWO LAYERS ARE SUPERPOSED SAID CONTAINER IS POSITIONED ADJACENT ONE EDGE OF SAID IMAGE AREA AND SAID TRAPPING MEMBER IS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE OPPOSITE EDGE OF SAID IMAGE AREA, AND A COVER SHEET SEPARATE FROM SAID FIRST LIQUID-CONFINING LAYER, SAID COVER SHEET EXTENDING OVER THAT SURFACE OF SAID TRAPPING MEMBER OPPOSITE THE SURFACE THEREOF SECURED TO SAID SECOND LIQUID-CONFINING LAYER, SAID TRAPPING MEMBER DEFINING, BETWEEN SAID COVER SHEET AND SAID SECOND LIQUID-CONFINING LAYER, A SPACE HAVING A SUFFICIENT VOLUME TO RECEIVE THE EXCESS LIQUID. 